A devastating accident occurred on July 16 at the intersection of Alexander Avenue and State Route 509 on Tacoma Tideflats, Washington State.
The collision between a 2021 KIA Forte hatchback and a BMW SUV claimed six lives. The Washington State Patrol reported that five passengers died on the scene and another passed away later due to injuries.
Authorities are investigating various factors, including the speed of the vehicles and whether the KIA occupants were wearing seat belts. What is known is that the KIA is built for five people, and seven were in the car at the time of the accident.
Michael May, who witnessed the crash, made a valiant effort to help the victims trapped in the KIA, despite the risk of an explosion. Regrettably, almost all the KIA occupants did not survive.
The Washington State Patrol announced that the crash was caused by speed and one of the drivers had gone through a red light.
The victims, ranging in age from 19 to 25, were mainly from Arizona and included three males and three females. The only survivor from the KIA, Anthony Pena, 21, was rushed to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in critical condition. The occupants of the BMW were a married couple in their 40s on their way to church.
The Washington State Patrol is asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or possesses relevant dash cam footage to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation.